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The beauty of Lake Tahoe is mesmerizing. The natural landscape is fantastic for the soul, and entertaining activities available are never ending.
But you may be surprised to find that all of those amazing aspects aren't the reason why most people stay for good in Lake Tahoe. The real reason is simple: It's because of the supportive community that comes together during the good times and the bad.
The people who call Lake Tahoe home are a special breed (usually of the transplant variety) who set their roots purposefully. This translates into a commonality. When times are good, we come together in celebration. When times are challenging – as has been shown through this last year of the pandemic – we come together to lift each other up.
One organization that is incredibly gifted at supporting the various Tahoe communities is Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe. Its mission is improving the lives of children and communities, one person at a time, and the Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe is doing just that. With members typically donating more than a thousand hours annually, the organization is a major contributor to the area's overall wellbeing. The focus is often connected to the betterment and welfare of children and assists many youth in the Tahoe area to empower themselves in living better lives. A few of the clubs and organizations that they back include the North Tahoe High and Middle School sports programs, North Tahoe High School Band, Achieve Tahoe (formerly Disabled Sports USA), Boys & Girls Club of North Lake Tahoe & Truckee, Lake Tahoe Music Festival, North Tahoe Arts Center, Tahoe Safe Alliance, Sierra Avalanche Center and Sierra State Parks Foundation.
To say the least, the Kiwanis Club is a major player in the quality of life that we enjoy in Lake Tahoe.
How do they help so many? A formidable way that they create their funding reserves is through their yearly event called Kiwanis Annual Benefit Auction & Wine Tasting. Joining incredible wine makers with jaw-dropping auction items (dinners for two, travel, cases of wine, sports equipment, season ski passes and lots of great merchandise), this is a much-anticipated evening. Sunnyside Restaurant & Lodge usually hosts it as a springtime affair with a routine date set in May, and the event tends to raise around $50,000, with the proceeds being spread out among nearly 140 organizations.
This year things are going to be a bit different. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the 29th Annual Benefit Auction and Wine Tasting is going to be held virtually. This gives an opportunity for anyone, whether in Lake Tahoe or afar, to help an organization that does so much for our communities. Getting involved is simple. The bidding for the virtual auction items begins on Sunday, April 25, at 5 p.m. There will be a week-long bidding war, with the auction closing at 5 p.m. Sunday, May 2. At that time all are invited to gather virtually to share in a toast to our amazing community as well as win fabulous door prizes.
The cost per ticket is $40 and will be a direct contribution to supporting Lake Tahoe youth and the many important service organizations that Kiwanis Club supports. The ticket will also automatically enter you in the door prize drawings. Auction bidding winners will be notified by email on Monday, May 3.
Hope to see you there. Cheers!
Please be sure to check out other fantastic events to get involved with in either our Daytime or Nightlife sections.
Photos courtesy of Kiwanis Club of North Lake Tahoe.
About the Author Shanie Matthews
A longtime Lake Tahoe local, Shanie is a freelance writer, Vinyasa Flow yoga teacher and positivity warrior. A true lover of the the gorgeous Tahoe region, she connects with the serenity of the mountains via skiing, biking and backpacking. She also believes in the gift of yoga and its way of allowing one to become his or her true best self, a passion she shares with the world with her online yoga studio.
